In 1982, the federal government created Section 35(1) of the Constitution Act to protect the rights of Indigenous people. This law protected some Indigenous rights related to marriage and adoption, activities on Indigenous land, and ownership of ancestral lands. 

In 1983, the Quebec government adopted 15 principles that recognize the status and rights of Indigenous people in the province. These principles formally acknowledge that multiple sovereign Indigenous Nations have roots in the territoryA territory is an area of land, or sometimes of sea, that we can say "belongs"..., and each Nation has its own culture, language, traditions, and customs. It gives the Nations control over their identities. In 1983, Indigenous people living in Quebec were finally invited to talk to the National Assembly about their rights and needs for the first time in provincial history. 

In 1985, the National Assembly of Quebec passed a motion that defines key principles the government must respect when working with Indigenous communities in the province. The motion states that the government should enter into relationships and make deals with Indigenous communities in the province when making decisions related to language laws, land ownership and control, economic development and more. These provincial principles and motions are small steps that will hopefully lead to increased sovereignty for First Nations and Inuit in the province.

Indigenous Peoples all across Turtle Island have been working really hard to make sure their these rights, and others, are respected and honored. But there’s still more that the government needs to do to keep promises and respect the treaties that were made between Indigenous Peoples and various levels of Government on the territoryA territory is an area of land, or sometimes of sea, that we can say "belongs"....

Reference: Gouvernement du Québec. Significant events.